Method of stage setting and apparatus therefor



Aug; 4, 1925.

A. R. FREDERICKS METHOD OF STAGE SETTING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR ssneetszsnetl /N 1/5 TOE? I $53? 525;

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Filed March 4, 1922 U APTHUP R. FREDERICK-S Aug. 4, 1925.

A. R. FREDERICKS METHOD OF/ STAGE SETTING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR FiledMarch 4, 1922 3 sheets heet 2 TTOP/VE Y5.

Aug.4,1925. 1,548,522

- A. R. FREDERICKS METHOD OF STAGE SETTING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR FiledMarch 4. 1922 3 Sheet s -Sheet 5 INVENTOR 4, 2] J APT/1UP ,P. FPEDEBCAGJ 2n 3% M,

A rro PNEYS.

Patented Aug. 4, 1925.

UNITED STATES ARTHUR REMY FREDERICKS, DE LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

METHOD OF STAGE SETTING AND APPARATUS THEREFOR.

Application filed March 4, 1922. Serial No. 541,257.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR R. FRED- nRIoKs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, and State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods ofStage Setting and Apparatus Therefor, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a method of stage setting and an apparatustherefor.

It is common practice to effect a number of complete changes in sceneryon a stage during the course of a dramatic or like production torepresent the different scenes of action in which the play is laid. Themethod and apparatus generally employed to accomplish the change inscenery has in some instances been found unsatisfactory due to the factthat it not only requires considerable time and labor to complete theshift and change the scenes, but it also requires a complete set of newscenes for each setting. In view of these objections, it is the objectof the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for settingthe stages whereby a number of changes in formation, color variationsand scenic effects may be readily and quickly effected by manipulationof a scene set of suspended and adjustable panels. The invention morespecifically stated contemplates the arranging and supporting of aplurality of cables directly below the stage ceiling, from which cablesare suspended a plurality of panel supporting devices, said devicesbeing capable of movement longitudinally of the cables and beingadjustable both vertically and angularly with relation to the stage; thesaid devices also being movable in relation to each other so as topermit arranging of the scenery and various formations and colorcombinations. One form which'the invention may assume is exemplified inthe following description, and illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a schematic or diagrammaticview illustrating in plan one of the several forms of setting which maybe effected by use of the present method and apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view disclosing the manner in which acombination setting in colors or scenic eflect may be obtained.

Fig. 3 is afront view of one of the panel supporting devices.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3.,

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. 1, Aindicates a theatrical or like stage having a proscenium arch 10, afront drop curtain 11, and one or more rear drop curtains, as indicatedat 12. Arranged transversely of the stage and the proscenium arch, andsecured directly beneath the ceiling of the stage is a plurality ofcables 13. These cables are preferably arranged in parallelism andinterspaced and may be secured in any suitable manner to obtain thedesired degree of tautness or tension. Supported by and suspended fromeach cable is a number of panel or curtain supporting devices which willhereinafter be referred to as bridles. These bridles are adapted tosupport the respective panels or curtains employed as indicated at 15.The specific construction of the respective bridles is more particularlyillustrated in Figs. 3, 4t and 5. It consists of a carriage 16, which issuspended from the cables by means of eye-bolts 17, said eye boltspermitting longitudinal movement of the carriages along the cables orcrosswise of the stage. Secured centrally of the carriage and extendingdownwardly therefrom is a forked bracket member 18, to which ispivotally attached a rod 19, said rod due to the pivotal attachment willalways assume a vertical position and serves as a support for the bridleproper indicated at 20. Slidably and turnably mounted on the rod is ahead member 21, on which is formed a pair of bearing members asindicated at 21 The bridle proper is secured to the head member 21 inany suitable manner or as here indicated and as such permits verticaland turning movement on the bridle with relation to the rod. The bridle,as previously stated, forms a support for the panel or hanging 15attached thereto and to render such attachment convenient eyelets 21 arearranged along the lower edge. Means are provided for the purpose ofsecuring the bridles against vertical and turning movement about therod, and this is accomplished in the following manner:

Formed intermediate the bearing sections 21 of the head or plate member21 is a pair of guide brackets 27, and slidably mounted between saidbrackets is a carriage orclamping member 25, one end of said carriagebeing attached to a coil spring 28, while the opposite end is attachedto acable 29 as shown. The carriage or clamping member is adapted toengage one side of the rod 19 as shown in Figs. 3 and i, and as suchproduces a friction grip which is sufficient to retain the bridleagainst vertical movement when adjusted on the rod and against turningmovement thereon. r I

For the purpose of imparting vertical movement to the bridle, a cable 23is provided. One end of the cable isattached to the upper end of thebridle as indicated at 29; it is then passed over a pulley 22 carried inthe bracket member 18. and is then extended to the lower end of thepanel where it is suspended. In fact both cables 23 and 29 are freelysuspended behind the bridle and panel carried thereby as shown in Flg. 3so that they-may be conveniently grasped when it is desired to adjustthe position of a particular panel. If it is desired to turn the bridleand panel so as to swing them to an angular position with relation tothe stage and the cables supporting the same as indicated at 14, in Fig.1, it is accomplished by merely grasping the panel and imparting aturning movement thereto. If it is desired to raise or lower the bridleand panel upon the rod it is accomplished by grasping the cables 23 and29 and exerting a pull thereon; for instance a pull exerted on'the cable29 will release the clamp with relation to the rod and will thus permitfree vertical'movement of the bridle and panel upon the rod. If it isdesired to raise the panel, it is accomplished by exerting a pull on thecable 23. 'Ifit is desired to lower the bridle and panel, it isaccomplished by pay ing out'on the cable 23. position is assumed, it isonly necessary to relieve the pull or tension on the cable 29,

. thus permitting the spring 28 to pullthe clampinto frictionalengagement with the rod and thereby lock the bridle and panel againstfurther movement. Again, if it is desired to move a certain panel alongthe cable supporting the same, it is only nec- 5. and it may thus bemoved to any position detain'stage depends entirely upon the extent' of:equipment necessary .or ;wanted.. Also, the depth of the stagedetermines the number of cables orbridles, employed. A setting canconsist of a right and a left wing, and one or more back curtains, asdepth efiect may require, see Fig. 1. If a single setting is required,only one set of curtainsor panels When the desired will be employed. Ifa double setting is wanted, two setsof panels are employed, and if amore extensive equipment is re quired, three or more sets of panels maybe employed. For a stage with a high ceiling, the wings can be raisedoneover the other to adesired height, or they may be raised completelyout of sight or vision. Again, it is obvious that they can be lowered tothe stage fioor and then shifted to any position or angle required,thereby condensing the size of the stage and also permitting completeclearing of the stage if desired. The back curtains are naturallydesigned to conform to the side wings and will therefore assist incarrying out the same effect. ll here a low ceiling is employed, alladjustments may be had as previously stated, exceptthat verticaladjustment of the panels will be-more or less limited. lVhere a settingof three or more panels is wanted,the panels should be hung or spacedabout nine inches apart. This will allow plenty of clearance. Forinstance if one setting or set of panels is colored red, another setcolored blue, and a third set colored tan, a set ting or effect can besecured with a tan Wainscot, a blueside wall above the Wainscot and ared frieze also obtained, or a red curtain effect may be obtained with ablue border down the side and across the bottom, or a tan border and ablue curtain effect may be obtained; all of the various changes beingsecured by moving one curtain forward I of the other and raising andlowering the same to obtain the effect desired. The wings can be turnedto any angle, as shown at 1% in Fig. 1, to form a box like setting orcircular effect as the friction lock employed on the respective bridleswill secure the curtains in any position desired; the tension on thesprings 28 being adjusted or gauged to the required weight so as tosupport the curtains against vertical and turning movement whenadjusted.

. From the foregoing it can be seen that numerous stage settings, coloreffects and scenic displays may be obtained with a predetermined numberof panels, and that such changes may be readily and quickly effected.

While certain features of the present invention are more or lessspecifically illustrated, Iwish it understood that various changes inform and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appendedclaims, similarlyfthat the materials and fin ish of'the several partsemployed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturermay dictate or various uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim" and desire to secureby Letters Patent is p i 1. In combination with a stagehaving cablesarranged and supported adjacent the ceiling thereof, of a suspensionmember adapted to supporta panel, said suspensionmember comprising acarriage adapted to travel along the cable, a downwardly extendingmember pivotally connected to said carriage, a panel carrying bridleturnably and slidably mounted on said downwardly extending member, andmeans for locking the bridle against movement thereon.

2. In combination with a stage having cables arranged and supportedadjacent the ceiling of the stage, of a suspension member comprising acarriage adapted to slidably engage a cable, a downwardly extending rodpivotally connected to said carriage, a bridle member turnably andslidably mounted on said rod, a friction clamp carried by the bridle andadapted to normally engage said rod, and means for releasing said clamp.

3. The combination with the proscenium arch and the ceiling of a stage,of a series of spaced supporting members secured adja cent the ceilingand disposed crosswise of the proscenium arch, a carrier movable alongeach support, a panel suspended from each carrier, means disposed inline with the vertical axis of each panel to permit turning movement ofthe panel about its vertical axis, and means whereby to verticallyadjust each panel along the respective aforesaid means.

4:- In combination with a stage having cables arranged and supportedadjacent to the ceiling, a carrier slidable on each cable, means forsupporting a panel on each cable, means whereby to adjustthe paneltoward and away from said supporting means, means whereby to permit ofangular adjustment of each panel, a lock normally holding the panelagainst the aforesaid adjustments, and means connected with theaforesaid locking means whereby to release the latter.

5. A stage setting apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced groups ofcables adjacent the ceiling of the stage and extending parallel acrossthe same, a carriage slidably mounted on each cable, a bridle membersupported by the carriage for vertical and angular adjustment, andpanels secured to each bridle and adjustable therewith to producevariations in scenic effects.

6. A stage setting apparatus comprising a plurality of equally spacedgroups of cables adjacent the ceiling of a stage, a carriage slidablymounted on each cable for longitudinal adjustment, a bridle carried bythe carriage for vertical and angular adjustment and panels dependingfrom each bridle, the said groups of cables being so spaced that thepanels will overlap when adjusted to angular position, thereby producingthe, appearance of a continuous wall.

7. A stage setting apparatus comprising a plurality of cables adjacentthe ceiling of a stage, a carriage slidably mounted on each cable forlongitudinal adjustment, a bridle supported by the carriage for verticaland angular adjustment, a lock for the bridle normally holding the sameagainst movement, means operable from the stage for effecting adjustmentof the bridles and other means operable from the stage for re leasingthe bridle lock.

8. A. stage setting apparatus comprising a plurality of cables adjacentthe ceiling of a stage, a carriage slidably mounted on each cable, adownwardly extending rod connected to the carriage, a bridle turnablyand slidably mounted on the rod, a lock for the bridle comprising aslidable clamping memher, and a spring for normally urging the clampingmember into engagement with the rod.

9. A stage setting apparatus comprising a plurality of cables adjacentthe ceiling of a stage, a carriage slidable on each cable, a roddepending from each carriage, and a head member turnably and slidablymounted on the rod, the said head member comprising spaced bearings forthe rod and an intermediate guideway, a clamping member slidable in theguideway and normally engaging the rod to hold the head member againstmovement, and a panel supporting the bridle on the head member.

ARTHUR REMY FREDERICKS.

